Last Monday, outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London, it was one man, one box and one bike.
Last Monday, outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London, it was one man, one box and one bike. Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw cycled for 12 hours straight, concluding at 7pm a cycle in the box as money was raised for Sport Relief, whose culmination of charitable competitions was held last week. As the campaign processed, the Twitter hashtag #GoGrimmy was in full swing, all the way until the last second.
By the time Grimshaw was done, £115,000 was raised that would kick off a week of donating activities for Sport Relief.
Thank you SO much for helping us raise £115,000 for @sportrelief yesterday.If you didn’t get chance to donate, just text ‘CYCLE’ to 70011 🙂
— BBC Radio1 Breakfast (@R1Breakfast) March 18, 2014
Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley was one of the other high profile BBC DJs that took the challenge later on Wednesday, going for 26 hours straight. It was done, as firecrackers electrified the sight, as Whiley told the tale of how she got through, with the Twitter hashtag #GoJo front and centre.
6am was tough @jowhiley says – #GoJo @sportrelief as @foofighters “My Hero” plays, donate Text JO to 70011 pic.twitter.com/1ULguOgdC2
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 20, 2014
Other competitors throughout the week and indeed throughout key events included The One Show’s Alex Jones and TV star Davina McCall, and competitions were held, from bake offs to challenges by employees at BT.
At 3.15 tomorrow on @BBCOne u can see exactly how @MissAlexjones beat the rock in a special documentary #AlexVsRock pic.twitter.com/2byb29GKi6
— Sport Relief (@sportrelief) March 22, 2014
Davina cycles, swims & runs 500 miles in 7 days for @sportrelief in @ThisisDavina – Beyond Breaking Point at 9pm. pic.twitter.com/BbEruOe1qT
— BBC One (@BBCOne) March 20, 2014
Thank you to all the @bt_uk employees all over the country who raised an amazing £537,082. Power to the Tower! #SR14 pic.twitter.com/ll9CCHtq5s
— Sport Relief (@sportrelief) March 21, 2014
By the time the end of the festivities came, with the broadcast on BBC One, the total was in.
An incredible £51,242,186! Thank you to every one of you that has watched & donated. You are all amazing #SR14 pic.twitter.com/VSXsfYvSI7
— Sport Relief (@sportrelief) March 22, 2014
By the time all was said and done, Twitter still had been front in centre. Much of the donations came from seeing the posts on the social networking site, adding not only an interactive engagement feel for Sport Relief and other organisations, but also ways to encourage those who went the extra mile and did something special for the cause.
Sport Relief did not respond to a request for an interview.
Social media, especially Twitter, has now become more than just a way to drive awareness for a cause, it has become a virtual cheerleading squad, to root for those striving for the best, knowing what is being done is making a difference.
Have your say on the Sport Relief efforts of the past week in the comments section below.
